COLUMBUS (January 12, 2005) The Transportation Review Advisory
Council (TRAC) today approved $717.5 million for incremental additions
of major new highway projects, as part of the Governor Taft's Jobs and
Progress Plan announced in August 2003. The draft project list will be
subject to a 90-day public comment period before the TRAC approves a
final list in May.

Today we re-emphasize our commitment to ensure Ohios highway
network remains one of the very best in the nation, said Ohio
Department of Transportation Director Gordon Proctor. This funding
will help construct a number of projects that will improve our
transportation system and enhance the lives of countless Ohioans.

The Ohio Department of Transportation typically works on a six-year
construction and planning cycle, adding a year of new projects
annually. This round of TRAC project funding commitments covers the
2006-2011 time frame.

Gov. Taft's Jobs and Progress Plan is Ohio's largest transportation
initiative since the original creation of the interstate highway
system. The plan devotes $5 billion over the next 10 years toward
Ohio's highway network, generating more than 4,000 highway
construction jobs, easing freeway congestion, improving road safety
and connecting rural regions.

The TRAC was created by the Ohio Legislature in 1997 to oversee
fair distribution of transportation funds. The TRAC currently has 89
projects under construction, or to be constructed, totaling $4.8
billion.

A complete list of the projects receiving funding can be viewed on
ODOT's Web site at www.dot.state.oh.us/TRAC.